17 and want a fun cheap first car!
Discussion
Hi. I am 17 years old and am currently doing my driving lessons. These days insurance prices are rediculous for people my age. But i want a quick, nippy little 1.1 litre car. If anybody can give me any information on any cars that are fun and cheap to insure for my first car, i would be very greatfull. Thanks.
We really need this as a sticky as it comes up every week / few days.
Get a normal car that you can afford to ensure. There is no magic cheap fun first car, if there was everybody would have brought it and it is no longer cheap.
Get something crappy for a few years. Get lots of No-Claims. get something juicy when you are 19/20.
If you want something cheaper find something that no other 17year old kids are driving. As there will be less claims on them the insurance may be cheaper.
Get a normal car that you can afford to ensure. There is no magic cheap fun first car, if there was everybody would have brought it and it is no longer cheap.
Get something crappy for a few years. Get lots of No-Claims. get something juicy when you are 19/20.
If you want something cheaper find something that no other 17year old kids are driving. As there will be less claims on them the insurance may be cheaper.
Being realistic is also a good idea. Getting a well kept Nissan Micra or Ford Ka will likely be the only way you'll get insurance for a decent price as a young, inexperienced driver. Otherwise, you'll just be getting quotes that could fund a NASA space mission. The market truely is in a dreadful state, so don't set your sights too high.
Proxy said:
K11 Micra!
My Dad has a 1.0 K11 Micra run-about, and it's a bloody fun little car to throw around.
Feels quick nippy too even for a 1.0
^^^^^^^Not this.My Dad has a 1.0 K11 Micra run-about, and it's a bloody fun little car to throw around.
Feels quick nippy too even for a 1.0
Define 'fun': Handles like a boat,
Define 'nippy' 0-60 in c17 seconds,
hateful car, the wife has one.
On the upside they are difficult to break.
It's becoming a long shot these days, but you could try the specialist insurers and see if anyone will do classic insurance at 17.
I had my first kit car while I was still (just about) in my teens and insured that for a fraction of the price of any normal car, let alone a sporty one. An everyday classic like a Mini or a Morris Minor could be a lot of fun (do a Google search for Tiff Needell drifting the later on a wet roundabout if you don't believe me!)
Failing that, you might get a surprisingly good deal with something nippy and/or interesting that happens to be seriously uncool. A nice little RWD Volvo 360 GLT or something?
If you go for a standard supermini then it depends what you want. If you're mostly looking for something fun then ignore the straightline performance - they'll all be woeful - and go for something that has skinny tyres, non-assisted power steering and the lightest possible weight. A base spec Citroen Saxo or even something more old school like an AX or a 205 would be a good start. You can get cars which are good for 200mph that aren't as much fun to chuck around as a tinny little French hatchback!
I had my first kit car while I was still (just about) in my teens and insured that for a fraction of the price of any normal car, let alone a sporty one. An everyday classic like a Mini or a Morris Minor could be a lot of fun (do a Google search for Tiff Needell drifting the later on a wet roundabout if you don't believe me!)
Failing that, you might get a surprisingly good deal with something nippy and/or interesting that happens to be seriously uncool. A nice little RWD Volvo 360 GLT or something?
If you go for a standard supermini then it depends what you want. If you're mostly looking for something fun then ignore the straightline performance - they'll all be woeful - and go for something that has skinny tyres, non-assisted power steering and the lightest possible weight. A base spec Citroen Saxo or even something more old school like an AX or a 205 would be a good start. You can get cars which are good for 200mph that aren't as much fun to chuck around as a tinny little French hatchback!
1.1 106, strip everything! My friend had one and oh my is it fun to drive.
OR
Clio 1.2 16v another friend had one of these, honestly for a 1.2 these things shift, absolutly piss all over a 1.1 106. With some nice suspension and a good induction they are great cars, Couldn't believe the cars it kept up with. Had a run with his mate in a Sax VTR, nothing in it. honestly.
OR
Clio 1.2 16v another friend had one of these, honestly for a 1.2 these things shift, absolutly piss all over a 1.1 106. With some nice suspension and a good induction they are great cars, Couldn't believe the cars it kept up with. Had a run with his mate in a Sax VTR, nothing in it. honestly.
Chris71 said:
Failing that, you might get a surprisingly good deal with something nippy and/or interesting that happens to be seriously uncool. A nice little RWD Volvo 360 GLT or something?
My insurance quote on my 360GLT was very good value considering quotes for other cars. On the down side it's rather thirsty. Remember 300 series come with 1.4 and 1.7 petrols too so may be cheaper than the 2 litre GLT (even the 1.4 can be drifted)My vote would be for a seicento sporting. A riot in the twisties, pennies to run and IIRC insurance group 2
Edit: ^^beaten to it
I've been looking for something for my 17 old son who has just passed his test. The cheapest insurance i could find was for something 1.0 ltr and that was still over £2k.
Going up to a 1.2 seemed to add about £600 to the insurance quote.
Tried all manner of odd ball cars, like the suggested Volvo but they must have got wise to this as the prices were still silly.
Adding me and the Mrs on dropped it to £2k else it would have been nearer £2.5k
Going up to a 1.2 seemed to add about £600 to the insurance quote.
Tried all manner of odd ball cars, like the suggested Volvo but they must have got wise to this as the prices were still silly.
Adding me and the Mrs on dropped it to £2k else it would have been nearer £2.5k
Proxy said:
K11 Micra!
My Dad has a 1.0 K11 Micra run-about, and it's a bloody fun little car to throw around.
Feels quick nippy too even for a 1.0
Really? REALLY?!My Dad has a 1.0 K11 Micra run-about, and it's a bloody fun little car to throw around.
Feels quick nippy too even for a 1.0
I'd say go for something a bit older, simpler, lighter.
Plus as above, avoid the ubiquitous (and awful) Corsas, fiestas and polos that all the other 17 year olds are driving, something a bit different is always good.
ally_f said:
Proxy said:
K11 Micra!
My Dad has a 1.0 K11 Micra run-about, and it's a bloody fun little car to throw around.
Feels quick nippy too even for a 1.0
Really? REALLY?!My Dad has a 1.0 K11 Micra run-about, and it's a bloody fun little car to throw around.
Feels quick nippy too even for a 1.0
I'd say go for something a bit older, simpler, lighter.
Plus as above, avoid the ubiquitous (and awful) Corsas, fiestas and polos that all the other 17 year olds are driving, something a bit different is always good.
Garlick on here had nice things to say about the K11 Micra and he seems to know what he's on about.
Given the company in the price bracket and with the constraints of being 17 and not rich, it'd be my choice.
The thing about Micra's is that you have to be more secure in your sexuality than your averager Pistonheader..
Given the company in the price bracket and with the constraints of being 17 and not rich, it'd be my choice.
The thing about Micra's is that you have to be more secure in your sexuality than your averager Pistonheader..
Lil' Joe said:
Fiat Seicento Sporting.
Ever seen one of these thats been in a smash?I'm not sure of the exact statistic... but at your age, having recently passed, you are at a MUCH MUCH MUCH higher risk of having an accident.
Get the safest small car you kind find, make sure it has ABS etc.
My Dad bought the Punto I drive now for my older brothers new in 2003. 14.3 0-60, when it was new! But it has ABS, is quite a bit stronger and safer than a Seicento. Its not that bad around town. nippy enough up to 40, then it gets a bit frustrating.
I know that doesnt help much if your looking for fun
samdale said:
My vote would be for a seicento sporting. A riot in the twisties, pennies to run and IIRC insurance group 2
That could be a good one.I've heard nothing but praise for them and a brief go in a mate's standard Cinquecento a few years back was surprisingly fun. Not unlike a classic Mini.
You may get the odd Inbetweeners jibe with them these days, but as mentioned above, insurable fun cars tend to be a little quirky. Whatever it is you'll have a laugh, though. Getting out there and having a spirited drive on the right roads is the main thing, the car is just the icing on the cake.
Oh, speaking of uncool, how about a Metro? Quite good fun to chuck around and the K-Series ones are actually pretty nippy. It is basically a mechanically improved Mini under that hateful '80s bodyshell.
I guess it's worth pointing out that most of these early '90s hatchbacks will crumple like a bag of crisps in an accident - compared to a modern car - so do take it carefully. I've always found the 'just don't crash' approach to road safety works fine, though.
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